Foreign motive power on the Union Pacific

[Pendolino]

I looked for info about the use foreign motive power on the Union Pacific: I found several pictures and videos showing CSX, NS and even Ferromex units on UP rails mixed with UP units.

I noticed, however, that the first unit is always a Union Pacific one. Is there a reason for this (e.g. cab signalling systems or other equipment specific to UP lines)?

The reverse does not seem to be true, as I also found several images of UP units travelling on NS and CSX rails with no NS or CSX units before them.

The only exception I found is a picture of a BNSF ballast train coming down Sherman Hill from Granite Canyon with a quartet of BNSF Geeps.

Thanks in advance.

 

[boyerm25]

It may be that UP wants to retain their corporate image and so they always run one of their units in front.

 

[nikos1]

Thats not true, I went to Railpictures.net selected California as the state and railroad CSX and came up with lots of shots
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=425890&nseq=0
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=421247&nseq=7
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=421328&nseq=5
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=415310&nseq=14

It is far less common than UP power on CSX or NS, that is so common around the Atlanta area that I don't even give it a second glance unless its a heritage unit whereas it seems that each time CSX power shows up on Mojave or Cajon people go nuts, I guess when seeing nothing but yellow GEVO's does that to you.
Now anything going into Chicago via the former CNW lines can only have ATC equipped locomotives leading to my understanding so thats probably where you are coming from.

 

[flyboy559]

Sometimes out here in California we will even get a train with nothing but foreign power on it.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=416729&nseq=0

 

[Rivkah]

UP and CSX have an agreement with Railex to run refrigerated unit fruit trains from Walulla, WA and from Delano, CA to Rotterdam, NY (near Albany), and then back. Usually these trains have UP power for the entire trip. I know they stop in Collinwood Yard, Cleveland, OH for fuel. Occasionally, CSX power is added if a UP unit shuts down. (The shutdown UP unit often deadheads for the rest of the trip.) And sometimes the CSX power makes the return trip to WA or CA. Added CSX power maybe found at the head Eastbound, but at tail coming back Westbound. see http://www.railexusa.com/ These trains are touted as faster than trucks.

UP, BNSF, CSX, and NS have agreements to run Powder River unit coal trains to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Usually, UP or BNSF power is used the whole trip. Again CSX or NS power may be added if needed.

These majors have agreements for grain unit trains.

I see most of these unit trains coming through Cleveland, OH or Buffalo, NY. CSX and NS tracks are between 50 ft and about a mile apart between these two cities. CSX very active. NS occasional traffic.

CSX and NS pickup new locomotives from GE at Erie, PA. So, it is possible to see any livery that GE supplies. I saw 10 shinny new BNSF trailing three CSX units in a CSX local.

At Berea, OH many folks have observed Heritage Units from UP and NS mixed in each others trains.

In Chicago and other common exchange points, often locomotives are pooled from different companies. So that can explain a mixture.

I'm sure there are other reasons, and in other areas.

Sorry I can't answer the part about cab signaling reasons.

Hope this helps.

 

[rgcx]

Sherman Hill does indeed require a UP leader engine for ATCS ops.

Other lines are less restrictive, but crews often prefer to use their own road's engines due to comfort. Some UP crews hate NS seats and vice versa.

 

[JohnnyC1]

On the North East Corridor Amtrak is very strict on foreign power leading CSX & NS consists, Normally you will not see foreign unit leading CSX/NS trains om the NEC, there are exceptions, the power has to be qualified by AMTRAK.

John

 

[H222]

What about if a loco shuts down or a train stalls somewhere? Would a BNSF loco attach itself to the front and help or would they move the BNSF loco behind the loco?

 

[rgcx]

What about if a loco shuts down or a train stalls somewhere? Would a BNSF loco attach itself to the front and help or would they move the BNSF loco behind the loco?

If a train were to stall, they would add units to the rear of the train and use DPU.

 

[Webbly]

I think that when seeing nothing but yellow GEVO's does that for your requirements and needs.
Now anything starting Chicago via the past CNW collections and pools can solely have ATC outfitted locomotives leading to my comprehending so i mean probably your location coming from.

Melbourne forklifts

 

[JohnnyC1]

What about if a loco shuts down or a train stalls somewhere? Would a BNSF loco attach itself to the front and help or would they move the BNSF loco behind the loco?

Usually if a train stalls on a grade, the train behind will shove the stalled consist. If that is not feasible, the parent RR will send it's locomotives and pull or shove the train to the nearest siding where repairs can be attempted or others measures can be taken.

John

 

[Pendolino]

I apologise for the late reply, but real life has the bad habit of taking me away from Trainz .

Thank you all for your kind and exhaustive replies!

As a rule, therefore, foreign units can be leading, or can even be the only power for a UP train unless the line(*) is equipped with ATCS: in this case, the leading unit must be a UP locomotive (as far as I have been able to discover, CSX uses a different, simpler ATC system).

(*) Sherman Hill, just to name one (thanks, rgcx!!) .

 

[boc61]

Here's a little info that I found awhile back when I saw some exotic lashups here in Jersey.It's a bit old, but I learned some things from it.

http://www.easternrailroadnews.com/oldern/forpow.html

It's not uncommon to see foreign power around here. UP auto unit trains can be seen around the Newark area, as well as mixed CSX/CN tank trains. The best place for foreign power sightings probably is on the Susquehanna in North Jersey where you will see all sorts of combinations. I've seen all sorts of combos , a lot of leasers, with the occasional UP and BNSF units mixed in.

 

[Pendolino]

Thank you, boc61! A very interesting page!

 

[289v8]

Post Deleted.

 

[JCitron]

UP and CSX have an agreement with Railex to run refrigerated unit fruit trains from Walulla, WA and from Delano, CA to Rotterdam, NY (near Albany), and then back. Usually these trains have UP power for the entire trip. I know they stop in Collinwood Yard, Cleveland, OH for fuel. Occasionally, CSX power is added if a UP unit shuts down. (The shutdown UP unit often deadheads for the rest of the trip.) And sometimes the CSX power makes the return trip to WA or CA. Added CSX power maybe found at the head Eastbound, but at tail coming back Westbound. see http://www.railexusa.com/ These trains are touted as faster than trucks.

UP, BNSF, CSX, and NS have agreements to run Powder River unit coal trains to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Usually, UP or BNSF power is used the whole trip. Again CSX or NS power may be added if needed.

These majors have agreements for grain unit trains.

I see most of these unit trains coming through Cleveland, OH or Buffalo, NY. CSX and NS tracks are between 50 ft and about a mile apart between these two cities. CSX very active. NS occasional traffic.

CSX and NS pickup new locomotives from GE at Erie, PA. So, it is possible to see any livery that GE supplies. I saw 10 shinny new BNSF trailing three CSX units in a CSX local.

At Berea, OH many folks have observed Heritage Units from UP and NS mixed in each others trains.

In Chicago and other common exchange points, often locomotives are pooled from different companies. So that can explain a mixture.

I'm sure there are other reasons, and in other areas.

Sorry I can't answer the part about cab signaling reasons.

Hope this helps.

I've seen a few units as far east as Lowell on the Pan Am Railways former B&M. They run joint operations from Rotterdam to Ayer MA called Pan Am Southern with the Norfolk Southern. CSX also runs up from Worcester via Ayer and the Stony Brook line via N. Chelmsford. More recently there have been some through oil trains heading north up to Maine.

So seeing foreign power is quite common and probably more so today than before with the way the rail systems work.

John